Speaking before the charity game for Sir Bobby Robson’s charity, Shearer said:

“I am the same as everyone else, I am in limbo. I don’t know what is going on.

“Everyone is telling me there are people in to buy the club. If that is the case, then great.”

“I want it sorted out as quickly as everyone else does.

“I’m a fan like everyone else and I don’t like to see the situation the club is in.”

This is a damning indictment of the situation Newcastle United finds itself in. If the favourite to become the next boss knows just as much as the next bloke on the street, then it’s no wonder we’re up the creek without a paddle. You just can’t run a football club that way.

Hopefully the Geordies present at St. James’s Park when we play Leeds this week will let their opinions be known. Something needs to be done and quick. Forget the start of the season, there’s only five weeks left for the new manager to operate in the transfer window. If nothing happens before then (worse case scenario), then things could look very, very bleak for NUFC.

Update: There was no news this week (what’s new eh?) and Alan Shearer didn’t go anywhere near London. I’m going to resort to not blogging about anything until we know it’s true. The last piece of certain news was Keith Harris’ radio interview which said that Newcastle United would be sold by the end of June. Until I hear something official, I’m not going to believe anything put out by the local or national press. I suggest you do the same.

I normally don’t blog about rumour mongering from the tabloids, but there’s such widespread talk now about Alan Shearer’s summoning to London where he will be filled in on the future of NUFC. I respect the lads over at nufc.com, and even they have posted something about the future being made public soon, so it must be pretty nailed on.

We can only hope that the news is good – anything other than Shearer’s appointment and some progression on the sale of the club wouldn’t do us any benefit at all.

Howay the Toon

As we blogged about yesterday, the fact that there was nothing published in the national newspapers was a sign that there could be positive things in the works for Newcastle United.

Only hours later, several media outlets published news that Wednesday and Thursday could be pivotal for the future of the Toon, and even more so, Alan Shearer. Quotes from current Managing Director Llambias mitigate that Shearer could be appointed as boss no later than early next week – possibly as soon as Thursday, the 18th.

The books are due to be opened on Wednesday for consortiums who have proven beyond doubt that they have sufficient funds to be able to complete their respective takeovers. We are led to believe that the consortiums are all in favour as appointing Shearer as manager so as far as this blog is concerned, the sooner the better. Let’s get the preparations for next season underway please, we’re already way behind.

Howay the Toon

Alan Shearer’s talks with Newcastle United will have taken up an entire week, yet we are still no closer to discovering whether he will be appointed as permanent Toon boss. The fact that the dialogue between the parties is going on for so long is not a bad thing like so many are making out. It’s clear that Ashley is keen to keep Shearer, but whether he can afford to meet Shearer’s demands is another matter entirely. However, can he afford not to ?

Let’s take a look at Shearers demands:

• Complete autonomy over players incoming and outgoing
• Control over staff being brought into the club
• A fairly hefty transfer kitty rumoured to be anywhere between 15 – 20 million

How can Mike Ashley refuse that?

In all seriousness, the playing staff at Newcastle needs a complete overhaul, and, if we are to get promoted at the first shot, let’s give Shearer what he wants. It could spell complete disaster for this club if we don’t. We’ll obviously generate some kind of revenue from players leaving, but clubs aren’t going to pay full price for the players we have – if they were that good, we wouldn’t be in the mess we currently find ourselves in. Shearer will be judged on who he brings in, both players and coaches, so let’s equip him with the funds necessary.

Speaking of players, Ed Harrison of the NUFC Blog wrote a quality post on the good young players Newcastle United should be going after.

Hopefully the Shearer situation will be resolved soon. As the man himself has already said, every day we are in talks are days that are ticking by when we should be preparing for next season. With that being said… Howay Mike, give the bloke what he wants!

Howay the Toon

Remember where you were when you heard the news, because days like this only come around once in a blue moon.

As first revealed by Sky Sports, Alan Shearer was today appointed as Newcastle United manager for the final eight games of the Premier League season. Not much has been revealed beyond the end of the season, but this news is sure to give the players and Geordie fans a much needed boost ahead of the end of season run-in.

However, current interim boss Joe Kinnear is widely expected to take a role upstairs as Director of Football. Much respected by Mike Ashley, Kinnear is expected to take less of a hands on role but may have to do so with Shearer’s blessing.

Many Newcastle United fans are still sceptical of the news – tomorrow is after all April 1st. Surely the nation’s media aren’t that heartless.